Time recorder

ABSTRACT

A recorder for automatically printing a record receiver, such as a card, with actual time and elapsed time. The recorder includes a chute assembly with cooperating electronic elements for automatically positioning a card therein prior to selectively operating a print actuator assembly. The chute assembly is provided with a gripping apparatus for engaging the record receiver and positioning same in said chute assembly. The chute assembly is provided with a mechanism to effect automatic ejection of the card subsequent to a recording operation.

United States Patent Tringali et al.

TIME RECORDER [75] Inventors: Dominick Tringali; John W. Dillard,

both of Columbia, SC. [73] Assignee: Universal-Business MachinesIncorporated, Columbia, SC. [22] Filed: July 16, 1973 [21] Appl. No.:379,496

Related U.S. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No.239,124, March29, 1972, Pat.

[52] U.S. Cl 346/134, 271/267, 271/DIG. 9 [51] Int. Cl. G0ld 15/28, G07c1/18 [58] Field of Search 346/82, 83, 85, 89, 90, 346/104, 134, 79;271/54,. 55, 267, DIG. 9; 234/ 130, 128

[56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 843,170 2/1907 Palmer et al346/79 POSITION A \5 g 1 POSITION B-"- ,1 POSITION c i z POSITION 0 1 y}I f r f 5 l i s r i i I I l 1 3,419,262 12/1968 Davis et al. 271/33,596,286 7/1971 Coliz et al 346/86 3,638,233 1/1972 Futter 346/82Primary Examiner-Joseph W. Hartary Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Kemon,Palmer & Estabrook 5 7] ABSTRACT cord receiver and positioning same insaid chute assembly. The chute assembly is provided with a mechanism toeffect automatic ejection of the card subsequent to a recordingoperation.

9 Claims, 19 Drawing Figures I56 50 14s 15s PATENTEL, rm 1 91914 sum ear1 PATENTE'U am 1 9 I974 sum 3 or 7 FIG. (if

need

PATENTEL, ram/1 91914 SHEEI t 0F 7 PATENIE xsv 1 91974 SHEET 5 0r 7 TIMERECORDER This is a divisional application of S61. No. 239,124 filed Mar.29, 1972, now us. Pat. No. 3,793,641.

THE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to recorders ofthe type employed to produce elapsed time records on cards or otherrecord receivers.

Elapsed time recorders have been known to the art since at least thelatter part of the 19th Century as is ev- 583,320; and 772,308. Thesepatents and later issued ones such as U.S. Pat. Nos. RE 13,597;1,582,651; 2,259,677; and 2,796,315, all appear togenerally deal with anelapsed time recorder of a type known as the Calculagraph (Registeredtrademark of the Calculagraph Co., of Harrison, N..l.). The saidrecorder has been used, almost exclusively, by the telephone operatingcompanies of the Bell Telephone System for about the past half century.v o

The said recorder is'provided with mechanical elements for recording thetime of day, elapsed time in minutes and seconds, and other matter ontoll cards which are used for accounting purposesby telephone operatingcompanies. To accomplish these functions, a printing assembly in therecorder is time driven by a clockworks. The printing assembly isprovided with lift shafts that extend from said assembly through theclockworks and which are mechanically linked to mechanical liftingelements. The lifting elements are interconnected by mechanical linkageswith a pair of operating levers that are located outside of therecorders casing.

In use, a telephone company employee, upon the commencement of a tollcall, manually positions a toll card relative to the printing assembly,and operates one of the two levers to effect a printing on the cardwhich depicts usually by means of a suitable mark upon a printed dialthe time of day as well as a mark on an elapsed minutes dial and anelapsed seconds dial. The card may then be manually removed from therecorder. Thereafter and upon completion of the call, the card isreinserted by the employee and the second operating lever is pulled toimprint suitable marks such as arrows or the like, at least upon theelapsed minutes and elapsed seconds dials on the toll card.

Thus, it becomes readily apparent that, with Calculagraph" type ofrecorders, the control is completely with the operator, and therefore,subject to human error. For example, the operator may err by simplypulling the wrong operating lever. Although only two levers areinvolved, it will be seen that the operator can err by:

l. pulling the first lever twice;

2. pulling the second lever twice;

3. pulling the first lever for a second printing operation; and

4. pulling the second lever for a first printing operation.

This type of error can and does result in significant annual revenueloss to the telephone operating compames. i

It is also possible for the operator to produce an erroneous record inthat the toll card must be positioned relative to the printing assemblyfor each recording operation. Even assuming the card is presented withthe 'idenced by the US. Pats. to H. Abbott, Nos. 449,192;

correct orientation, it is possible that the card will not be positionedduring the second printing operation precisely as it was during thefirst operation. In such event, the elapsed time indicators probablywill not be properly located within the elapsed time dials. Suchimproper recordings can and do result in revenue losses.

Finally, the said prior art recorders result in operating losses in thatthey are slow acting by virtue of their mechanical construction. Thistype of loss may becharacterized as a man hours loss for the reason thattime spent to supply the energy to operate the mechanical elementsrepresents a time loss for the operation of a switchboard. In addition,the energy loss contributes to gized throughout a printing operation.Prolonged ener-.

gization results in unacceptable and expensive power drams ininstallations such as those employed by the telephone companies. Thusupto the present time, recorders of the type described have not beenchanged significantly. In this regard, see US. Pat. No. 3,409,903.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a timerecorder that is capable of automatically providing recordings ofelapsed time. 7

It is an object of this invention to provide a new and useful timerecorder having means which are responsive to a condition of a recordreceiver for electronically effecting a printing operation on thereceiver with a minimum dissipation of power.

It is another object of this invention to provide a new and usefulautomatically operable electro-mechanical apparatus for a time recorder.

It is an additional object of this invention to provide a new and usefulcard chute assembly provided with means for precisely positioning a cardin a time recorder.

It is an object of this invention to provide a novel I electronicallyoperated mechanical print element lifting assembly for a time recorder.

It is another objectof this invention to provide a new and useful timerecorder having novel electronic means for controlling the recorder toselectively effect a first or second printing on a record receiver.

These and other objects of'the invention should be come more readilyapparent with a study of the hereinafter described specific embodimentof the invention; the study being made with references to the followingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of therecorder of the invention as seen in elevation and without protectivecovers;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the printing clockworks and printactuating assemblies of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the printing assembly shown mounted in asupport member;

FIG. 4 is a detail view in side elevation of elapsed time printingmembers used in the printing assembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a detailed view in front elevation of identification numberprinting members and lifting elements for said members;

FIG. 6 is a detailed view in front elevation of time of day printingmembers and lifting elements for said members;

FIGS. 6b through 6f are elevational views of certain of the elementsshown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 7 is a view of one side of a typical twice printed record receiverproduced by a time recorder of this invention;

FIG. 8 is a side elevation of a card chute assembly usable with therecorder of this invention;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the assembly shown in FIG. 8;

FIGS. 10a and 10b are side and plan elevations respectively ofa cardslide usable in the assembly of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a schematic-logic diagram of the electronics used in therecorder of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a detail sectional view in side elevation of a portion of theprint actuating assembly employed to operate the printing assembly; and

FIG. 13 is a plan detail view of the lift members forming a portion ofthe print actuating assembly.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A specific embodiment of a timerecorder constructed in accordance with the invention is shownpictorially in FIG. 1 of the drawings. The recorder is shown without aprotective casing in order that its electro-mechanical features may beshown in general and in assembled form. The recorder includes a clockdial supported and carried by a top casting or member 10, with said dialhaving an hour hand and a minutes hand. Thetiming hands are turned bygearsextending from a clockworks 12 that is suitably mounted within amain support frame or member 14. When the recorder is provided with aprotective casing, the clock dial is visible externally thereof.

The items described thus far are essentially the same items found in theCalculagraph employed by the operating companies of the Bell TelephoneSystem. The main support frame or member 14 has been machineddifferently to accommodate the parts of the present invention. Inaddition, it is used to support printed circuit component boards, notshown, which are utilized to provide circuit connections and to supportcircuit components of at least parts of the electronics discussedhereinafter.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 9, a card chute assembly 16 is fastened to themember 10 by suitable means such as screws. The details of constructionof the card chute assembly and its functional interrelationship will bediscussed below with respect to FIGS. 8 10. Generally speaking, the cardchute assembly comprises an upper card plate 18 and a lower card plate20 which are secured together in spaced apart relationship and a cardretract slide 22 with cooperating elements. The card chute assemblyconstitutes an important part of the present invention in that itfunctions inter alia to accept a-card from an operator, and toautomatically remove the card from operator control such that a printingoperation may be performed on the card. When the recorder is fullyassembled, the protective casing, member 10, and card chute assembly maybe secured together by suitable means to form a top assembly. The Yassembly thus formed may then be secured to the main support member 14by screws such that it can be conveniently removed for such servicing asmay be desired.

Two other main assemblies are shown in FIG. 2. A printing assembly 24 islocated immediately above the clockworks 12. The printing assembly willbe described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 2-7, and itessentially comprises a number of printing heads mounted and supportedfor axial movement through the lower card plate 20. The printingassembly differs from that used in the Calculagraph in that the printsmade on a record receiver such as a card, are susceptible to machinereading by a scanning device of the type described and claimed in aco-pending application of Dominick Tringali, Ser. No. 44,741, filed June9, 1970., and assigned to the assignee of the present invention. Theprinting heads are similar to those of the Calculagraph" in the sensethat the recordings produced are humanly readable, as well as machinereadable. As with the Calculagrap'h the print heads are mounted onshafts that extend through the clockworks 12 to shaft actuators. lntheCalculagraph," the shaft actuators comprise manually operated mechanicalelements arranged to provide selective axial motion to the shafts. In.the recorder of the present invention, an electro-mechanical printactuator assembly 26, FIG. 2, is employed to perform the functions ofthe mechanical assemblies in the Calculagraph. The print actuatorassembly of the recorder of the present invention is operatedelectronically in cooperation with the movement of a card in the cardchute assembly; the details of such operation and of the construction ofthe print actuator assembly are given below.

The printing assembly 24, clockworks l2, and print actuator assembly 26are shown mounted within and to the main support 14 in FIGS. 2 and 3' ofthe drawings. The clockworks, which may comprise in general the samegear assembly-employed in the Calculagraph, with one variation to bementioned later, is supported by the usual upper and lower registerplates 28 and 30. The assembly 24 is carried by the plate 28 which isconnected to the brackets 34 by the screws 32, as best seen in FIGS. 2and 3 and in detail in FIGS. 4-6. As stated previously, the print headsdiffer from the Calculagraph heads in that the record obtained is bothmachine and humanly readable. To this end, the printing dies employedare provided with type that will print sharply defined bars to providerecord indications of hours and minutes and elapsed minutes and elapsedseconds relative to three clock dials.

A completed recording made on the so-called front face of a card 36 isshown in FIG. 7 where the time of day is shown relative to a dial38,while elapsed minutes and elapsed seconds are respectively shownrelated to dials 40 and 42. The three dials are printed along with anhours indicator 44 and a minutes indicator 46 during a first printingoperation. In addition, an identification number 48 and a black bar 50are printed at the top edge of the card 36 approximately between thedials 40 and 42 during the first printing operation. The bar 50 isprinted on the card for the purpose of generating a signal for theelectronics of the recorder of the present invention as will bediscussed below.

The die used for printing the dial 40 includes type or its equivalentfor printing a reference mark 52 adjacent the -minute calibration line.Similarly, the die for printing the dial 42 includes type for printing areference mark 54 adjacent one of the two zero calibration lines on thedial the dial is a 120 second dial. It was mentioned above that theclock gears in the clockworks differ from the Calculagraphs clockworksin one particular. Specifically, the seconds gear rotates at /2revolution per minute or such that it makes revolution per minute. Thiischange is deemed important for it increases the resolution of theelapsed minutes recording that may be obtained both visually andautomatically by a machine. Specifically, during a second printingoperation, an elapsed minutes indicator 56 is printed within the dial40, and an elapsed seconds indicator 58 is printed within the dial 42.In the event that the elapsed minutes value is an even value, i.e.,0,2,4, etc., the seconds indicator should be located relative to thefirst 60 seconds of the dial 42. The first 60 seconds may becounted'clockwise from the zero indicator not adjacent the referenceindicator 54. Similarly, if the elapsed minutes value is odd, i.e.,1,3,5, etc., the indicator 58 should be located relative to the lasthalf of the dial 42. The resolution obtained is important particularlyif elapsed time is used for accounting purposes. Error can occur in theelapsed minutes recording by virtue of gear backlash in the clockworksand for similar mechanical factors. Electronic means may-be utilized forautomatically cross comparing the two recordings to correct for sucherror. Finally, during the second printing operation, a secondidentification number 60 is printed. As with the first such printing,the record 60 is made between the dials 40 and 42, however, it is madeapproximately near the longitudinal center of the card 36. This numbershould be the same identification number as the number 48; if it is not,then the card has been recorded with an erroneous value of elapsed time.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, the elapsed minutes indicator print dieis supported within a container 62. The die, as with all the print diesreferred to hereinafter, may be of the ink transfer type as manufacturedand sold by the National Cash Register Company. Alternatively, the diesmay conveniently be pads made out of ink pad material. In either case,such dies are preferred over metallic dies in that either typeeliminates the need for an ink ribbon and a ribbon transfer or advancemechanism. The pad container 62 is fixedly attached to one end of aminutes shaft 64 and it is dimensioned such that it is normally seatedwithin a second pad container 66. The container 66 comprises a supportfor the printing die used to produce the dial 40 and the referenceindicator 52. A third pad container 68 is attached to one end of aseconds shaft 70, and it is dimensioned such that it is normally seatedwithin a fourth pad container 72. The containers 68 and 72 respectivelysupport the ink pads used to produce the elapsed seconds indicator 58and the dial 42 with reference indicator 54. The'elapsed time dial padcontainers 66 and 72 are respectively keyed to the containers 62 and 68such that the containers may be rotated by the respective shafts 64 and70. The keying and construction are such that the containers 66 and 62may be moved in the axialdirection of the shaft 64 relative'to eachother. The same type of keying and construction is employed for thecontainers 68 and 72. The containers 66 and 72 are normally seated on alift plate 74. The shafts 64 and extend through the respectivecontainers and through spaced apart clearance holes in the lift plate74. In addition, the shafts extend through the clockworks plates 28 and30, and are respectively engaged by the clockworks gearing to turn thecontainer 62 at a minutes rate and the container 68 at one-half of aseconds rate. A pad container 76 for supporting an ink pad capable ofproducing the identification number 48 and bar 50 is carried by abracket 78 which is ment of the shaft in one direction along its axis iseffective to lift both the plate 74 and bracket 78 and thereby effectmovement of the containers 66, 72 and 76. The shaft 80 extends throughthe clockwork plates 28 and 30, but unlike the shafts 64 and 70, it isnot engaged by the clockworks. As shown in FIG. 5, a secondidentification number print pad container 82 is supported in spacedrelation to the first such container 76 by a lift member 84, which isprovided with a cavity or recess for receiving one end of a lift shaft86. The shaft 86 may conveniently be locked to the container by anysuitable means such as a set screw. The member 84 is normally supportedon the top plate 28 of the clockworks, while the lift shaft extendsthrough the bottom a cavity in a second container 92, which has adepending hollow tubular "portion 94 that in turn extends through acollar 96 mounted on the plate 28. The shaft 90 extends through theportion 94 and collar 96 as well as the plates 28 and 30, and is engagedby the clockworks to rotate'the container 88 at a minutes rate. Thecontainer 92 is used to support a print pad for producing the dial 38(FIG. 7), while the tubular portion '94 is secured against rotation by aclamp 98 attached to a non-rotating lift shaft 100. The lift shaft 100extends through the plates 28 and 30 and terminates in a lift bracket102 that is supported on top ,of the plate 28 with said bracket having aclearance hole for the collar 96. A gear 104 with a hub 106 thatencompasses the collar 96 is supported by the bracket for rotativemovement with respect thereto. The gear 104, in turn, is used to supporta print pad container 108 on its upper surface and near its outerperiphery, i.e., just outside of the container 92. This-last notedcontainer supports the print pad for marking the hours indication 44(FIG. 7). The gear 104 is engaged and rotated at the rate of onerevolution per 24 hours by a pinion 110, FIG. 2, where the pinion isprovided with an extension into and in engagement with the clockworks.The description thus far has dealt with a time printing assembly andclockworks that is generally known. Changes from and improvements in theknown assembly were noted. The description that follows deals with themajor assemblies and circuits of the present invention.

THE CARD CHUTE ASSEMBLY operators control, to automatically position thecard for a printing operation, and to thereafter eject the card from therecorder. Electronic triggering and print operation selection means areoperatively associated with the card chute assembly and operate ashereinafter described.

As noted above, the card chute assembly 16 includes an upper card plate18 and a lower plate 20. The details of the assembly, the plates andother apparatus may be best viewed in FIGS. 8 through 10. Each of theplates 18 and 20 is shaped and provided with slots and holes ashereinafter discussed. The plates may beprovided with upwardly directedand downwardly directed side flanges respectively if desired to therebyprovide additional' area formounting electrical components. The lowerplate 20 is provided with a slotted shaped area 111, FIG. 9, into whichthe printing assembly 24 extends. In addition, both of the plates 18 and20 are slotted at locations 112a and 112b along one side and at a righthand end location 1126 to receive card guides 113a, 113b, and 113c. Theguides are, in the preferred embodiment, mounted on the upper plate 28of the clockworks (FIGS. 2 and 3) and extend upwardly through therespective slots in the plates 18 and 20. In addition, the plates 18 and20 may be provided with a sufficient number of clearance holes toreceive guide pins 114, FIG. 3, mounted on the upper surface of the mainsupport member 14. As will be seen hereinafter the location of such pinsis not critical to the operation of the recorder in that the guides 113athrough 1136 are employed for positioning a card relative to theprinting assembly. The guide pins 114 may be employed to facilitate theassembly of the card chute assembly with the main support member. Theplate 20 is also provided atone end with a card receiving shelf 115.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the card chute plates 18 and 20 are securedtogether in spaced relation by any suitable means, not shown, with thespacing being determined by a plurality of shim members 116a, 116b, and1166 that are interposed between the plates. The shims should be ofsufficient thickness to allow the card 36 to be easily inserted into thespace between the plates, and the shims should be dimensioned to allowall around clearance for the cards. A card slide 22 shown in detail inFIGS. a and 10b, is mounted for reciprocating motion above the uppersurface of plate 18 on three bearing surfaces. The bearing surfaces maybe provided by annuluses-120a, 120b, and 120C supported on guide pinssecured in the plate 18, where the pins are provided with projections122a, 122b, and 1226 that extend into slots 124, 126, and 128respectively in the slide 22. The bearing surface portions of theannuluses are preferably of small area so as to 'minimize friction.

For the purpose of this description, the left hand portion of the slideas viewed in the drawings will be termed the front part. Thisterminology is adopted for the reason that such portions extend in thedirection of the card input. The slide is provided with arms 130 and 132extending laterally of front-center, where each arm supports a forwardlyextending leaf spring 134 and 136 respectively, at its terminal portion.Each of the springs passes under a cam bar 138 supported by upwardlyextending side flanges of the plate 18. The springs are further providedwith hooked end portions 140 that extend over grooves 142 and 144, FIG.9, located in the plates 18 and 20 at the front portion thereof. Whenthe slide is located in its forward'position, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9,the hooked end portions are clear of the opening to the cavity betweenthe plates 18 and 20. A third laterally extending arm 146 is located atthe center-rear portion of the slide 22 and is used to support a cardpositioning operator 148 that is pivotally mounted, by a pin 150, uponthe upper surface of the arm 146. The operator 148 may have an L-shapedconfiguration embodying a longer leg 152 and a shorter leg 154. In thepreferred embodiment, the slide 22 is held in the forward position by aslide return spring 156 that I is attached to the cam bar 138 and theleg 152 of the operator 148. The short leg of the operator is used. to

' support, on its lower surface, a'card seating pin 158.

The pin 158 projects downwardly from the leg 154 and through a slot 160in the plates 18 and 20. When the slide is in the above mentionedposition, the long leg 152 engages the guide pin 122b to bias the cardseating pin 158 counterclockwise out of the card insertion area betweenthe plates 18 and 20.

The upper plate 18 adjacent the slot 160, FIG. 9, has

mounted thereon an angle bracket or support member- 147 which hasaffixed thereto one end of a flat spring 149. The free end of the spring149 carries a trigger as-' sembly that includes a protruding segment orsear 151 t which is designed to engage a latch member 153 that issecured to the card slide 22 adjacent the forward end of the slot 128.The latch member 153 is mounted upon the slide 22 so that an end portion155 projects beyond the side of said slide 22. The end portion 155 ofthe latch member 153 is formed with a flat forward edge or surface whichis engaged by the rear or trailing edge of the sear 151 so as to retainthe slide 22 in its retracted or card inserting position. The rear edgeor surface of the projecting end portion 155 of the latch member 153 isrounded or curved to facilitate the movement or passage of the latchmember along the lower or'bottom surface of the sear 151. The spring 149continuously urges the protruding segment or sear 151 into engagementwith theprojecting end portion 155 of the latch member while a coil 300mounted on the bracket 147 will, upon being energized, attract thespring 149 and trigger assembly. This action by thecoil will cause thesear 151 to be withdrawn from engagement with the forward edge of thelatch member 153 and thus release the card slide 22 whereby it may bereturned to its initial or starting position by the spring 156.

At its rearward end, the slide 22 is provided with a depending arm 162.The said arm extends into a cavity 164 created by slotting the plates 18and 20, and when the slide is in its forward position, the arm 162 islocated at the front end of the cavity. The rear end portion of theslide 22 carries a switch operator 166 that is rotatably supported on apin 167 adjacent the depending arm 162. A card seating switch 168, FIG.9, may be supported by the plate 18 such that'a movable contactor 170engages the operator 166. A card print switch 172, FIG. 8, may besupported by the lower I designed to have a loose fit in the slot 176when in an inoperative condition and said operator is carried by amovable armature 180 of a card seating solenoid 182.

OPERATIONAL DESCRIPTION INCLUDING THE PRINT ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY Inoperation, the card 36 is placed face down on the shelf 115 and insertedby an operator into the opening defined by the plates 18 and 20 until itengages the depending arm l62at the end of the slide 22. At this pointin operation, the trailing edge of the card will be locatedapproximately one-half inch (position A in FIG. 9) from the openingbetween the plates. As the operav tor continues insertion of the card,the slide 22 will be moved in a rearward direction against the force ofthe slide return spring 156. As a result of such movement, the cardsprings 134 and'136 mounted on the arms 130 and 132 respectively of theslide are gradually cammed down by the cam bar 138 such that theirhooked end portions 140 are positioned in non-touching relation behindthe trailing edge of the card. Movement of the slide 22 in the rearwarddirection also causes the card positioning operator 148 to be pulled bythe spring 156 in a clockwise direction about its pivot pin 150. Thecard seating pin 158 mounted onthe underside of the leg 154 of theoperator 150 is rotatedclockwise such that it engages a side edge of thecard 36. The amount of rotation within the slot 160 is such that thecard seating pin 158 urges the opposite side of the card 36 firmlyagainst the card guides 113a and 11312.

Movement of the slide 22 in the rearward direction also cause the rotaryswitch operator 166 to disengage from the movable contactor 170 of thecard seating switch 168 thereby causing the contactor 170 to breakconnection with a stationary terminal 170!) and make electricalconnection with a second stationary terminal 1706, see FIG. 11. Theswitch is operated in the preferred embodiment when the trailing edge ofthe card is approximately one-quarter inch from the chute assemblyopening, i.e., at position B in FIG. 9 The contactor 170 is connected toa regulated source of dc. .voltage such that operation of the switch 168places the terminal 1700 at the source level. The terminal l' 70c isconnected to a pulse forming timing circuit 190 comprised of threeresistors and a capacitor, at least one of the resistors 192 and acapacitor 194 forming a differentiator circuit having its outputconnected to the base electrode of a transistor 196. The emitterelectrode of the transistor 196 is connected directly to the baseelectrode of a second transistor 198 which has the card seating solenoid182 connected to its collector as a load. So long as the contactor 170makes with the stationary contact 17% the transistors 196 and 198 arenon-conducting such that the card seating solenoid 182 is unenergized.When the contactor 170 makes with the terminal 1706, a pulse is formedby the circuit 190 and applied to the base of the transistor 196 causingthe said transistor to current saturate and thereby cause the transistor198 to break into conductionJWith the transistor 198 conducting the cardseating solenoid 182 is energized to effect movement of its armature(see FIGS. 8 and 9) in a rearward direction. With such operation, theslide operator 178 is carried by the armature in a rearward direction tothereby power the slide 22 rearwardly.

As the slide 22 continues to travel in the rearward direction, thehooked end portions 140 of the springs 134 and 136 engage the trailingedge of the card to carry or propel the card into the recordercompletely out of reach of the individual who initially inserted thecard for recording. In the preferred embodiment, the trailing edge islocated approximately one-tenth of an inch into the area between theplates 18 and 20, or that is,'at position C in FIG. 9 of the drawings.When the card is located as described, its leading edge is lodged firmlyagainst the front end card guide l13c and, as previously noted, themovement of the card seating pin was effective to lodge a side edge ofthe card 36 against the guides 113a and ll3b. The rearward movement ofthe slide 22 causes the curved surface of the projecting end portion ofthe latch member 153 to move under the trigger assembly so that the sear151 will engage the forward edge of the latch member 153 as the card isbeingcompletely positioned for the printing operation. The use of thelatch mechanism to hold the card slide in its final or operationposition enables the card to properly settle into position immediatelyprior to initiating the printing operation. This arrangementor'combination of operations tends to insure that there will be preciseseating and optimum print operation upon each and every card that isproperly positioned within the recorder.

It will be noted that the card 36 is notched or beveled at one corner,FIG. 7. If no'provision is made within the recorder for rejecting thecard in the event that it was improperly placed on the slide 115, i.e.,if it was placed face upward instead of facedownward, then the automaticmovement of the slide 22 as described will, in cooperation with thecard, cause a printing operation to be carried out on the card, ashereinafter described. It may be desirable to make provision to preventa printing operation in such a case. To that end, the shim ll6b may beprovided with a forwardly extending projection 200 which should beconfigured to'cooperate with the beveled corner of the card 36. Theprojection 200 as will be seen in FIG. 9, extends forwardly of thecontactor 174 for the print switch 172. Accordingly, if the card isplaced in any but the correct position in the recorder, then the notchedor beveled portion of the card will be so located that the projection200 intercepts a squared off corner of the card to thus preventoperation of the print switch. Under such circumstances, the

latch member 153 will not have moved completely under the sear 151 ofthe trigger assembly so that the card slide will not be held in alatched position whereby the springs 134 and 136 will flex while thecard is held between the plates 18 and 20 solely by virtue of theoperation of the card seating solenoid 182. After the period of timedefined by the timing circuit (FIG. 11) expires, the transistors 196 and198 cease to conduct such that the card seating solenoid 182de-energizes, thus restoring the force of the spring 156, which returnsthe slide 22 to the position shown in FIG. 9. The downwardly extendingoperatorl62 being in engagement with the leading edge of the cardduringthe return of three-eighths of an inch from the opening between theplates 18 and or, that is, at positionD, as shown in terminal 170b ofthe switch 168.

The following description deals with the situation where the card 36 isproperly oriented in the opening between the plates 18 and 20 of thecard chute assembly. Referring to FIG. 11 of the drawings, it will benoted that the contact 17% of the card seating switch 168 is connecteddirectly to an input of an inverter 202 and the inverter is connected onits output to a reset input 204 of a NAND latch 206.

The latch 206, gate 210, and inverter 202 comprise together a printoperation selector circuit composed in the preferred embodiment, ofpositive NAND logic. With the switch 168 in the position shown, thelatch 206 is accordingly, in its reset condition for the reason that thecontactor 170 is effective when made with the terminal l70b to send thereset input 204 of the latch to a low potential level, e.g., ground. Asin the usual case, then, the latch is at a high potential level on areset output 216.

The circuits are arranged to cooperate with a photocell assembly 218comprising a lamp 220 and a photo transistor 222 only after the switch168 has been operated such that the contactor 170 breaks with theterminal l70b. To this end, the assembly 218 is mounted, see FIGS. 8 and9, relative to the opening between the plates 18 and 20 such that ablack bar 50 printed in the position shown on the card 36 in FIG. 7 willinterrupt the normal transmission of light from the lamp 220 to thephoto transistor 222 after operation of the switch 168. As shown in FIG.11, the collector of the photo transistor 222 is connected to the baseelectrode of a Darlington amplifier 224. The Darlington is connected byits collector to the regulated d.c. supply and its emitter electrode isconnected through a load resistor 226 to ground. The emitter of theamplifier 224 is also connected to a second input 230 of the NAND gate210. With these connections, so long as the photo transistor 222receives light from the lamp 220, the base electrode of the Darlington224 and hence, its emitter electrode will be at effective ground. Theinput 208 for the gate 210 is connected to a stationary terminal l74b ofthe print switch 172, and the terminal 174b is connected to groundthrough a resistor 234 having the same value as the load resistor 226for the Darlington amplifier 224. The movable contactor 1740 of theprint switch 172 is connected directly to the regulated d.c. supply suchthat when the switch is in its unoperated condition, the terminal 174bis connected through the contactor 174a to the positive supply. Thepotential thus established between the terminal 174b and ground issufficient in and of itself to send the input 208 to the NAND gate 210high. In a like manner, a positive potential on the emitter oftheamplifier 224, Le, a supply voltage established between the emitter andground across the load resistor 226 is sufficient to, in and of itself,send the input 230 of the NAND 210 high.

With the operation of the card seating switch 168,

the terminal 17% becomes open thus sending the output of the inverter202 high such that the reset input to the latch 204 is high. At thistime, however, the set output 214 of the latch is low andconsequently,-the reset output of the latch 216 will remain at a highpotential level. After operation of the switch 168, if the phototransistor 222 responds to a bar 50, it will send the base andconsequently the emitter of the amplifier 224 high such that the input230 to the NAND gate 210 will go high. Input 208 of the NAND gate 210will remain high until the print 'switch 172 is activated breaking theconnection between contacts 174a and l74b of 172. Consequently, theinput 212 for the latch 206 will be at a low potential to thereby sendthe set output 214 of the latch to a high potential level. Under theseconditions, both inpputs to the reset portion of the latch will be at ahigh potential to drive the reset output 216 to a low or zero potentiallevel. It should be noted that operation of the print switch 172 removesthe positive d.c. potential from the terminal l74b such that after suchoperation, the input 208 to the NAND gate 210 cannot go high and thelatch 206 cannot thereafter be set. Accordingly, the latch 206 can onlybe set during the. interval between the operation of the card seatingswitch 168 and the operation of the card printing switch 172.

The reset output 216 of the latch is connected to a' first input of atwo input NAND gate 236, and the set output 214 is connected to oneinput of a second two input NAND gate 238. The other inputs for each ofthe gates 236 and 238 are connected in common to a pulse line 240 wherethe line is connected to receive pulses from a timing circuit comprisedof a Unijunction Transistor (UJT) Time Delay Circuit 242 and a PulseForming Network 244. Time Delay Circuit 242 is comprised of a UJTcircuit of the usual manner arranged to receive power and begin thetiming cycle when Print Switch 172 is activated to connect movablecontact 174a to contact 1746. The UJT circuit acts to' deliver apositive pulse on line 243 at the end of its timing cycle. The PulseForming Network 244 is comprised of a Silicon Controlled Rectifier (SCR)246, resistor 248, capacitor 280, resistor 282, diode 286, transistor288 and resistor 290. In the normally unoperated condition, Print Switch172 has its movable contact 174a connected to contact l74b. Thus contact1740 has no voltage source connected to it and is at ground potential.Consequently UJT circuit 242 and the anode circuit of SCR 246 areunpowered. The base of transistor 288 is driven through resistor 282 anddiode 286 thus keeping the transistor turned on which keeps thecollector and line 240 at ground potential. Upon activation of PrintSwitch 172 power is applied through contact 174b to the UJT circuit 242and to the anode of SCR 246. Since SCR 246 is turned off, capacitor 280is charged through resistor 248. The displacement current flows throughdiode 286 and the base of transistor 288. Since transistor 288 isalready saturated this extra base current has no effect on the potentialof line 240. At the end of its timing cylce of the UJT circuit 242fires. The pulse appearing on line 243 turns on SCR 246 dropping line247 to ground potential. In the usual manner the potential of line 284drops by the same amount as line 247 cutting off current flow throughdiode 286 and the base of transistor 288. Transistor 288 is thereforeturned off and the potential of line 240 raised to the high logic level.Capacitor 280 is recharged through resistor 282 in the usual manneruntil the potential of line 284 raises sufficiently to turn transistor288 back on, thus again lowering the potential of line 240. Thus it isshown that the duration of the high potential on line 240 is limited bythe RC time constant of resistor 282 and capacitor 280.

Since the card is latched into place by latch 153 after circuit 242maybe of anyduration but in this embodiment was chosen to givesufficient time for the card to settle into place. The pulse duration online 240 was chosen to be of sufficient time to actuate print coil 266or 268 as required. Under the above conditions, one input for each ofthe gates 238 and 236 will go to a high potential level whenever theline 240 is pulsed and the inputs will remain at said level so long asthe pulse persists on the line 240. Accordingly, the outputs of thegates 236 and 238 are solely determined by the condi-.

tion of the outputs 214 and 216 of the latch 206,-and the outputs of thegates 236 and 238 will change state only during the existence of a pulseon the line 240. At all other times, the outputs of both NAND gates areat a high potential level. The NAND gate 236 is connected through aninverter 248 to a first print operation signal line 250, and the NAND238 is connected through a second inverter 252 to a second print operation signal line 254.

It should be apparent that the print operation signal lines 250 and 254are normall at a low potential. The line 250 will be pulsed whenever thereset output 216 of the latch 206'is simultaneously high with a pulse onthe line 240, and similarly, the line 254 is pulsed whenever the setoutput 214 of the latch 206 is simultaneously high with a pulse on theline 240. The line 250 is connected to a base electrode of a transistorcurrent switch 256 where the switch is connected by its emitter to thebase electrode of a transistor driver 258. Similarly, the second printoperation signal line 254 is connected to the base electrode of a secondtransistor current switch 260 having its emitter connector to drive thebase of a transistor 262. Each of the switches 256 and 260 are connectedto a positive current supply line 264 through current limiting resistorsconnected in their collector circuits. The transistor 258 is connectedby its collector through a first print actuator electromagnet 266 to thesupply line 264 and the transistor 262 is connected through second printactuator electromagnet 268 to the line 264. Accordingly, a pulse on theline 250 is effective to cause the transistor 256 to conduct in currentsaturation to thereby turn on the transistor 258 and energize theelectromagnet 266. Similarly, a pulse on the line 254'is effective tocause the second print actuator electromagnet-268 to be energized. Fromwhat has been said, it will be seen that one of the electromagnets 266or 268 is energized only so long as the timing circuit provides anoutput on the line 240. Further, the electromagnet 266 is operated as aresult of a high potential level existing on the reset output of thelatch 206 which potential exists by virtue of the photo transistor 222seeing white, and the electromagnet 268 is operated by a high potentiallevel output on the set output of the latch which occurs when the phototransistor sees a bar 50 between the operation of the card seatingswitch 168 and the operation of the print switch 172.

In order to prevent spurious activation of either the first printactuator electromagnet 266 or the second print actuator electromagnet268 upon removal of electrical power from the Elapsed Time Recorder,means for clamping the potential on lines 250 and 254 at groundpotential during the critical period after power removal has beenprovided. Zener diode 400 and resistor 402 conduct during normaloperation maintaining transistor 406 in the on state and, consequently,transistors 408 and 410 in the off state. Upon removal of power from theElapsed Time Recorder the voltage on the cathode of Zener diode 400drops below the Zener voltage of the device. At this point base currentdrive to transistor 406 is removed and transistor 406 cuts off. Basecurrent then flows through resistors 412 and 414 to transistor 408 whichturns on and clamps the potential of line 254 to ground. Likewise basecurrent through resistors 412 and 416 drives transistor 410 to maintainline 250 at ground potential. Transistors 408 and 410 are held on untilthe charge on the power supply filter capacitor drops below the criticallevel.

The first and second print actuator electromagnets 266 and 268 arephysically located in the print actuator assembly 26 as is best seen inFIG. 2 of the drawings. The electromagnets are supported on a plate 270in spaced apart relation relative to first and second print actuators272 and 274 respectively. The plate 270 may be removably attached to themain support member 14 to serve as a bottom wall for such member, andthe electromagnets are preferrably supported at angles relative to thevertical by brackets, the latter named members being supported bytheplate 270.

The first and second print actuators 272 and 274 are duplicates of eachother, and they are physically located on opposite sides of a recocksolenoid 276, which is supported on the plate 270. The first printactuator 272 is best seen in FIG. 12 of the drawings and a descriptionof the parts of said actuator will suffice to describe the parts of thesecond print actuator. The actuator 272 comprises a cylindrical printhammer 278 which terminates at its lower end in a radially extendingflange 280. The actuator 272 is also formed with an axially dependingtubular projection 282 which is slidably mounted upon a verticallyextending guide shaft 284 carried by the plate 270. The guide shaft 284is supported in a fixed vertical position by the plate 270 such that itis coaxial with and spaced from the lift shaft 100. A print actuatorstop member in the form ofa collar or sleeve 286 is freely mounted uponthe guide shaft 284 between the plate 270 and the tubular projection282. The stop member is preferrably spaced slightly from the tubularprojection when the print acutator is in cocked or, that is,non-operating position. The stop member 286 and tubularprojection 282are disposed within a coil spring 288 that is interposed between theprint hammer 278 and the plate 270. If desired, the

spring may be seated on a suitable supporting or spacer member 290 thatis resting on the upper surface of the plate 270. When the printactuator is in a nonoperated position, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 12, thespring 288 is in a state of compression.

The first print actuator 272 is held in a nonoperated or cocked positionby a trigger assembly which includes a scar 292 carried by one end of atrigger 294 that has its other end supported by suitable pivot mountings296 located adjacent the base of the first print electromagnet 266 andthe print operating spring 288. The trigger 294 is held by a bias spring297 that is attached to the plate 270 so that the sear 292 will engageand retain the flange. 280 of the print hammer 278. The trigger is madeout of a magnetically attractable material. As previously stated, thesecond print actuator 274 is comprised of precisely the same type ofparts employed for the first print actuator. Thus, a print hammer 298 issupported for sliding movement on a guide shaft 299. The shaft 299 issupported by the plate 270 such that it is coaxial with and spaced fromthe lift shaft 86. The print hammer 298 is held in the cocked positionby a trigger assembly including a trigger 302, and a sear 304 where thesear engages a flange 306 of the print hammer. A second print operatingspring 308 is compressed between the plate 270 and print hammer 298 whenthe actuator is cocked.

The print hammers 278 and 298 are positioned directly below a pair oflift members 310 and 312 respectively; the said members are shown inFIGS. 2,5,6, and 13. The member 310 comprises essentially an anglebracket that is provided on its upper surface at one end I thereof witha lock collar 314 within which the lift shaft 100 is firmly secured. inaddition, the bracket 310 is also provided with a hole at'its other endwhich hole is preferrably tapped to receive a lift screw 316. The screwextends from the upper surface of the member or bracket 310 and engagesthe lift shaft 80. The lift member 312 consists of an L-shaped elementhaving arms 318 and 320, FIG. 13, of equal dimensions. In the preferredembodiment of the invention the elapsed minutes shaft 64 and the elapsedseconds shaft 70, FIGS. 2, 4 and 13 are ofa shorter length than the liftshaft 100 and the lower end portions of said shafts 64 and 70 arepositioned in notches or cut-outs formed in the outer print hammer 278is thereby released and it is driven the lift member or bracket 310,thereby causing the member to be lifted. The member 310 uponbeing liftedeffects the lifting of the shafts 100 and 80 such that the lift plates102 and 74 are raised. From the description previously given, it shouldbe evident that the raising of the plates 102 and 74 is effective toraise the print pad containers 108, 92, 88, 66, 72 and 76 such that thecard is printed with the time of day; elapsed time dials; and firstidentification number 48 and bar 50 respectively.

In the event that the photo transistor 222 had seen a black bar duringthe proper interval, the second print signal line 254 would have beenpulsed to actuate the second print electromagnet 268 as' described. Insuch event, the trigger 302 is attracted to release the print v hammer298 under the force of thesecond print operends of clip members 322 and324. The clip members ments 323 and 325 engaging the lower ends of theshaft 64and 70. The left member 312 is provided with a downwardlydepending lock collar 328 at the junction of the arms 318 and 320. Thelift shaft 86 extends into 7 the collar 328 and may be firmly securedtherein, by suitable means, such as a set screw, not shown. From theforegoing description, it should be apparent that each of the liftmembers 310and 312 float and are held in fixed vertical positions byvirtue of being locked to the lift shafts 100 and 86 respectively. Inthe preferred embodiment, the elapsed time shafts are of shorter lengththan the lift shaft 100 such that the arms 318 and 320 are verticallyspaced from the lift member or bracket 310.

Returning now to the operational description, it will be recalled thatwhen the photo transistor 222 does not see a black bar during theinterval between operation of the card seating switch 268 and the printswitch 172, the first print operation signal line 250 is pulsed when theswitch 172 is-operated. It will be noted that the switch 172 is operatedbefore the card 36 is firmly seated against the rear end card guide1130. This fact is of no operational importance for the reason that thecard is actually seated before a print acutator is effective to lift theselected print pad containers whereby the printing pads will effect arecording on the card. When the line 250 is signaled. the first printelectromagnet 266 is energized aa described above and as a result ofenergization, attracts the trigger 294 so that the sear 292 is pulledaway from the flange 280. The

ating spring 308. The print hammer 298 engages the lockcollar 328 of thelift member 312 causing the said member, and consequently, the elapsedtime shafts 64 and and the lift shaft 86 to be raised. It will be re--called that the elapsed time indicator pad containers are affixed to theupper ends of the shafts 64 and 70. Consequently, the'containers aredriven upwards by the shafts such that the print pads mark the card withthe elapsed time indicators. It will also be recalled that the secondidentification number pad container 82 is supported by a lift memberattached to the upper end of the shaft 86. Consequently, the container82 is raised through the cooperation of the print hammer 298 and liftmember 312 to effect the marking of the card with the secondidentification number.

Referring to H6. 11, it will be noticed that the stationary terminal1740 of the print switch is connected by a line 330 to the input of aunijunction transistor (UJT) timing circuit 332. The said timing circuitis of the usual configuration, and causes a pulse to be generated'at theoutput base electrode of the UJT after the time interval determined bythe RC components connected to the emitter of the UJT. For the presentinvention, the time interval should be sufficiently long beyond the timeinterval of UJT circuit 242 to permit the print pads to make a distinctor optimum recording on the card 36.

The circuit 332 is connected by an output terminal 334, the output baseof the UJT, to the base electrode of a transistor switch 336. The saidswitch like the transistors 256 and 260, is connected by its collectorto the dc. supply line 264, andit is connected by its emitter to theinput base electrode of a transistor driver amplifier 238. The driveramplifier 238 comprises a pair of transistors connected in a Darlingtonconfiguration, and its common collector is connected to the supply line264 through therecock solenoid 276. Accordingly, solenoids 276 and 300are pulse energized after the energization of an electromagnet 266 or268 and they are energized in a similar manner. I

ln the preferred embodiment of the invention, .the time constants of thetiming circuit 190, FIG. 11, for the card seating solenoid 182 areshorter than those of the timing circuit 332 forthe activation of therecocking solenoid 276. Consequently, the card seating solenoiddeenergizes before the print pads are retracted and the card is retainedin place solely by virtue of the engagement of the latch member 153 withsear 151. Since the card is held in place, the slide 22 must be held atits rearmost position.

276 is provided with a vertically movable armature 340. The armatureprojects through both ends of the solenoid 276 with the lower end of thearmature also extending through a clearance hole 342 in the plate 270.The lower end of the armature 340 has a screw 344 axially securedtherein which is engaged by an end of a leaf spring 346 that is attachedto the bottom surface of the plate 270. The spring is effective to urgeand hold the armature in an upper position with respect to the plate270. It may be found desirable to interpose a washer 348 in the hole andbetween the screw 344 and the bottom of the recock solenoid. A'recockingplate 350 is mounted on a collar 352 that is pivotably supported by apin 354, upon the upper end portion of the recock armature 340. Aresilient bushing or member 356 may be interposed between the armature340 and the collar 352 to stabilize the recock plate 350 in a horizontalplane. The plate 350 is generally rectangular in shape and is providedwith clearance holes 358 and 360 at its respective end portions, FIGS.12 and 13. The plate is supported by the armature 340 when the armatureis in its uppermost position such that the print hammers 278 and 298,H6. 2, extend into and through the holes 358 and 360 respectively. Thediameter of each of the holes should be such that the flanges on theprint hammer cannot pass therethrough and the plate 350 should be spacedvertically above the flanges.

When the recock solenoid 276 is pulsed as described, the armature 340moves downwardly against the leaf spring 346 until the recock plateengages the flange of the operated print hammer; assuming operation ofthe print hammer 278, the plate will engage flange 280 first since thehammer 278 is vertically higher than the second print hammer 298. Therecock plate pivots around the pin 354 until it engages the flange ofthe print hammer 298. Accordingly, as the plate 350 descends, it exertsa differential recocking force on the two print hammers. However,downward movement of the hammer 298 is limited by its stop member. Theprint hammer is lowered by this action until its tubular projection 282engages its stop member 286. When the print hammer 278 is in itslowermost position, the sear 292 for its trigger assembly re-engages theflange 280 for the reason that the timing circuits are designed suchthat the electromagnet 266 de-energizes before the recock solenoid isenergized and the trigger is therefore restored by the spring 297 to itsnon-operated position. The scar should be shaped such that it is cammedoutwardly by the flange 280 as the print hammer descends to the cockedposition.

As the operated print hammer is recocked, the operated lift plate 310free falls from its lifted position thus disengaging the print pads fromthe card 36. Referring to FIG. 5, it may be desirable to interpose aspring 362 between the top surface of the lift member 312 and the bottomsurface of the clockwork plate 30. If this is done, when the member 312is raised by the print hammer 298, the spring 362 will be compressed.When the print hammer is recocked, the compressed spring will provide apositive downwardly directed force for the member 312, and it, in turn,will provide a positive re-' turn for the elapsed time shafts if theyare engaged by the clips 322 and 324. A positive return as described maybe deemed desirable particularly if the print pads have any tendency tostick to the card. A similar spring return can be provided for themember 310, and a clip for engaging the minutes shaft may be supportedbytheplate 310.

Actuator electromagnet 300 releases latch 153 to allow the card to exitfrom the read station. This occurs upon activation of cock solenoid 276since actuator electromagnet is parallel to cock solenoid 276 and isdriven by Darlington Transistor Pair 238.

The card is ejected from the card chute assembly in generally the samemanner as described above. It will be noted that as the card moves outof the chute assembly, the switch contactors 174 and restore the cardprint and card seating switches respectively and in the stated order.The printing, recock, and ejection operations should be timed such thatthe print switch is normally restored prior to the generation of asecond recock pulse by the UJT time 332. As the card seating switchrestores, the input to the inverter 202 (FIG. 11) goes high to therebyreset the latch 206.

The embodiment of the invention disclosed above was described as being atime recorder particularly useful for producing records on a telephonetoll card. It should be obvious that the said recorder may be moditiedto produce time records of the type used in industrial accounting, i.e.,those used for pay purposes among other things. Further, although aparticular form of logic circuitry was described, those skilled in theart will be aware that they need not be held to the form of logic, i.e.,it may be desired to employ other positive or, indeed, it may bedesirable to employ negative logic.

I claim:

1. In a record receiver printing device having an upper and a lowerplate arranged in spaced parallel relation to one another to define achute assembly, said plates being slotted adjacent one end thereof, arecord receiver gripping and positioning apparatus mounted above saidupper'plate for reciprocatory movement with respect thereto, saidapparatus terminating in a depending arm arranged to extend into theslots adjacent an end of said plates, a record receiver manuallyinsertable into said chute assembly with an'end thereof engaging saiddepending arm for initiating manual movement of said apparatus withrespect to said chute assembly, and means actuated by the initialmovement of said apparatus over andabove 'said upper plate forautomatically causing said apparatus to be moved with respect to saidchute assembly.

2. in a record receiver printing device as set forth in claim 1 whereinsaid chute assembly is provided with aplurality of spaced guides engagedby said record receiver for positioning said record receiver in saidchute assembly.

3. In a record receiver printing device as set forth in claim 1wherein'said record receiver has a portion thereof configured to engagea complimentary configured projection in said chute assembly to insurethat said record receiver has been properly positioned and inserted intosaid chute assembly.

4. In a record receiver printing device as set forth in claim 1 whereinsaid. means includes a switch mechanism that is energized by the initialmovement of said apparatus for powering the movement of said apparams.

5. In a record receiver printing device as set forth in claim 4 whereinsaid chute assembly has a solenoid mounted thereon with the armature ofsaid solenoid bearing surfaces carried by said upper plate.

7. In a record receiver printing device as set forth in claim 6 whereinsaid plate member is provided with at least one'resilient arm, a cammingmember carried by said chute assembly and engaging said arm upon themovement of said plate member for moving said arm into engagement withthe trailing end of said record receiver to propel said record receiverinto said chute.

8. In a record receiver printing device as set forth in claim 7 whereinsaid plate member has pivotally mounted thereon a record receiverpositioning element for engaging an edge portion of said record receiverand urging said record receiver laterally of said chute assembly intoengagement-with suitable guides provided in said chute assembly.

9. ln a record receiver printing device as set forth inclaim 8, whereinsaid positioning element is maintained in engagement with said recordreceiver by a spring.

1. In a record receiver printing device having an upper and a lowerplate arranged in spaced parallel relation to one another to define achute assembly, said plates being slotted adjacent one end thereof, arecord receiver gripping and positioning apparatus mounted above saidupper plate for reciprocatory movement with respect thereto, saidapparatus terminating in a depending arm arranged to extend into theslots adjacent an end of said plates, a record receiver manuallyinsertable into said chute assembly with an end thereof engaging saiddepending arm for initiating manual movement of said apparatus withrespect to said chute assembly, and means actuated by the initialmovement of said apparatus over and above said upper plate forautomatically causing said apparatus to be moved with respect to saidchute assembly.
 2. In a record receiver printing device as set forth inclaim 1 wherein said chute assembly is provided with a plurality ofspaced guides engaged by said record receiver for positioning saidrecord receiver in said chute assembly.
 3. In a record receiver printingdevice as set forth in claim 1 wherein said record receiver has aportion thereof configured to engage a complimentary configuredprojection in said chute assembly to insure that said record receiverhas been properly positioned and inserted into said chUte assembly. 4.In a record receiver printing device as set forth in claim 1 whereinsaid means includes a switch mechanism that is energized by the initialmovement of said apparatus for powering the movement of said apparatus.5. In a record receiver printing device as set forth in claim 4 whereinsaid chute assembly has a solenoid mounted thereon with the armature ofsaid solenoid being connected to said apparatus for moving saidapparatus under the power of said solenoid.
 6. In a record receiverprinting device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said gripping andpositioning apparatus includes an elongated plate member that terminatesat one end in said depending arm, said plate member being mounted forreciprocatory movement of suitable bearing surfaces carried by saidupper plate.
 7. In a record receiver printing device as set forth inclaim 6 wherein said plate member is provided with at least oneresilient arm, a camming member carried by said chute assembly andengaging said arm upon the movement of said plate member for moving saidarm into engagement with the trailing end of said record receiver topropel said record receiver into said chute.
 8. In a record receiverprinting device as set forth in claim 7 wherein said plate member haspivotally mounted thereon a record receiver positioning element forengaging an edge portion of said record receiver and urging said recordreceiver laterally of said chute assembly into engagement with suitableguides provided in said chute assembly.
 9. In a record receiver printingdevice as set forth in claim 8, wherein said positioning element ismaintained in engagement with said record receiver by a spring.